Review of Psycho (1998) by Brandon S — 30 Dec 2012
Cinematic expressionism at its absolute finest!
A young woman steals $40,000 and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor too long under the domination of his mother.
Arguably Alfred Hitchcock's finest achievement this film brought about amazing innovations in cinematography. I especially admired Hitchcock's unique way of making the camera the focal point as opposed to the characters themselves. Its as if the character moves with the camera instead of the other way around. He utilizes the montage technique in a way that I've never seen before. For instance, in the scene where Tony Perkins and Martin Balsam speak for the first time; the moment where Perkins turns on the "vacancy" sign its almost as if that quick cut-away is symbolic of the knife in the shower scene. Simple, understated shots like that, that say a lot about events past and events to come, are what make Hitchcock the most innovative and unique photographic director in history. It creates a sense of uneasiness and disturbance that really propels the viewer into this isolated terrifying world.
Sound always plays a major role in Hitchcockian films but none quite like this, possibly apart from 'The Birds'. The scene where Anthony Perkins cleans up the murder scene in the bathroom there is no sound. He transitions from the shrieking notes of Herrmann's powerful score to dead silence. In some way I believe that the silence is more useful in interpreting the mood of the images than any score, also very similar to the style of the suspenseful sequences in 'The Birds'. Not at all to take anything away from Bernard Herrmann.
Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh have the deepest on-screen chemistry I've ever seen. I feel much more connection between the two of them than even between Leigh and John Gavin. Now, Gavin delivers a good performance but it is overshadowed by Perkins. Its almost like a love triangle; the killer, the thief, and the lover. The performance by Martin Balsam was incredibly kinetic, he is like the missing link in the chain that levels out the chaos. His steady persona and determined detection, ultimately bringing about his own demise, really bring this character to life. The acting is magnificent in every possible sense!
The only horror film I've ever seen that I can call supreme and reach that point honestly.
This review of Psycho (1998) was written by Brandon S on 30 Dec 2012.
Psycho has generally received positive reviews.
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